Get started by learning the basics before creating your first pattern!

How to start a friendship bracelet

There are a couple of ways to set up your bracelet threads, each one depends on personal preference, so give them both a try and take your pick!

Starting with a knot

Cut the number of strands given in your pattern to the length indicated, we suggest about 90cm long. Then, leaving about 15cm of thread at the top, bunch the strands together and tie them in a single knot.

Starting with a loop

Cut the number of strands given in your pattern to the length indicated, we suggest about 180cm long. Hold the strands together, then fold them in half, with each half measuring about 90cm - you’ll notice you’ll have double the number of strands to work with compared to starting with a knot. Then, leaving about a 3-4cm loop at the top of the halfway fold, bunch the strands together and tie them in a single knot.

Now take a piece of tape, and secure your strands you have created by taping down the area above the knot to your work surface.

You're now ready to start creating your friendship bracelet!

How to make a left knot

Bring your working floss to the left. Then lay it over the next floss on the right. Your strands will look like the letter L.  Now bring your floss tail behind the right strand, then through the gap created here. Pull the working floss upwards to tighten the knot. 

You have now completed a half left knot. 

Repeat these steps, using the same working floss and knotting around the same resting floss strand. 

This completes your first left knot.

How to make a right knot

Bring your working floss to the right. Then lay it over the next floss on the left. Your strands will look like the number 4. Now bring your floss tail behind the left strand, then through the gap created here. And pull the working floss tail upwards to tighten the knot. 

You have now completed a half right knot. 

Repeat these steps, using the same working floss tail and knotting around the same resting floss strand. 

This completes your first right knot.

How to finish off your friendship bracelet

Once you’ve worked your friendship bracelet pattern, it’s time to secure the ends and make a closure! Here are a couple of ways you can finish off your bracelet:

If you started your bracelet with a knot

Braided Ties

Ensure you have floss tails of 12-15cm on both ends. Starting with one end, split the floss into 3 sections and begin braiding. Once you reach about 10cm, tie a knot to finish. Repeat on the other end of the bracelet.

Now wrap the bracelet around your wrist and tie a double knot.

If you started your bracelet with a loop

Braided Ties

Ensure you have floss tails of 12-15cm. Split the floss strands into 2 sections. Now split each section into 3 strands and braid both sections into 3 and braid both groups. Once your braided sections measure about 10cm, tie a knot to secure the braids.

Now wrap the bracelet around your wrist. Thread one braid through the loop and tie a double knot.

Adjustable Closure 

Ensure you have floss tails of 12-15cm. Split the floss strands into 2 sections. Now split each section into 3 strands, braid both sections into 3, and braid both groups. Once your braided sections measure about 10cm, tie a knot to secure the braids.

Now fold the loop at the beginning of your bracelet over towards the back. Then pinch the two loops created together, and thread your braided end through the 2 loops here. Gently pull the knot created. 

You can now slide this closure towards the last knot to loosen the bracelet. Once you’ve placed the bracelet around your wrist, you can move the closure until the bracelet fits snuggly. 

To remove the bracelet from your wrist, you can loosen the closure again, and slip the bracelet off.

Ready to get started? Check out our friendship bracelet kits!

Share photos of your finished bracelets with a community of crafters on Instagram and Facebook.